英国卫报：萨达姆雕像的倒塌：美军如何制造神话(1)

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In 2003, the destruction of one particular statue in Baghdad made worldwide headlines and came to be a symbol of western victory in Iraq. But there was so much more to it – or rather, so much less

2003年，巴格达一座特殊的雕像被毁，上了全世界新闻的头条，成为了西方在伊拉克的胜利的象征。但是，事情远不止如此——或者更确切地说，远不及如此

by Alex von Tunzelmann

作者：亚历克斯·冯·藤泽尔曼

The abiding¹ image of the Iraq war in 2003 was the toppling of a statue of the country's dictator, Saddam Hussein.

2003年伊拉克战争最令人印象深刻的就是该国独裁者萨达姆·侯赛因的雕像的倒塌。

It was an image relayed across the world as a symbol of victory for the American-led coalition², and liberation for the Iraqi people.

这一幕被传递到世界各地，象征着美国领导的联军的胜利，以及伊拉克人民的解放。

But was that the truth? Putting up a statue is an attempt to create a story about history.

但这是事实吗？建造一座雕像的目的是试图创造一个关于历史的故事。

During the invasion of Iraq, the pulling down of a statue was also an attempt to create a story about history.

在入侵伊拉克期间，推倒一座雕像也是试图创造一个关于历史的故事。

The story of Saddam's statue shows both the possibilities, and the limits, of making a myth.

萨达姆雕像的故事显示了创造神话的可能性和局限性。

Operation Iraqi Freedom, as it was called by those running it, began on 20 March 2003.

伊拉克自由行动开始于2003年3月20日。

It was led by the US at the head of a "coalition of the willing", including troops from Australia, Poland and the UK.

它是由美国领导的一个“自愿联盟”，包括来自澳大利亚、波兰和英国的军队。

President George W Bush claimed that the aims of the operation were clear: "to disarm³ Iraq of weapons of mass destruction, to end Saddam Hussein's support for terrorism, and to free the Iraqi people".

美国总统乔治·W·布什声称，此次行动的目的很明确：“解除伊拉克的大规模杀伤性武器，结束萨达姆·侯赛因对恐怖主义的支持，解放伊拉克人民”。

He continued: "The people of the United States and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw⁴ regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder …

他继续说道：“美国人民以及我们的朋友和盟友不会听任一个用大规模杀伤性武器威胁和平的非法政权的摆布……

It is a fight for the security of our nation and the peace of the world, and we will accept no outcome but victory."

这是一场为我们国家的安全与世界和平而战的战争，我们只接受胜利。

This justification⁵ for war was hotly disputed at the time, and has been ever since.

这场战争的正当性在当时引起了激烈的争论，此后一直如此。

1 abiding   

adj.永久的，持久的，不变的

参考例句：

• He had an abiding love of the English countryside.他永远热爱英国的乡村。
• He has a genuine and abiding love of the craft.他对这门手艺有着真挚持久的热爱。

2 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

3 disarm   

v.解除武装，回复平常的编制，缓和

参考例句：

• The world has waited 12 years for Iraq to disarm. 全世界等待伊拉克解除武装已有12年之久。
• He has rejected every peaceful opportunity offered to him to disarm.他已经拒绝了所有能和平缴械的机会。

4 outlaw   

n.歹徒，亡命之徒；vt.宣布…为不合法

参考例句：

• The outlaw hid out in the hills for several months.逃犯在山里隐藏了几个月。
• The outlaw has been caught.歹徒已被抓住了。

5 justification   

n.正当的理由；辩解的理由

参考例句：

• There's no justification for dividing the company into smaller units. 没有理由把公司划分成小单位。
• In the young there is a justification for this feeling. 在年轻人中有这种感觉是有理由的。